Infinite voyage to circumnavigate the globe while maintaining eternal summer.

Infinite worldwide voyage guaranteed year-round sunshine.

Sailing on May 30th after an intense facelift, this 31-year-old ship will become a game-changing innovation in the cruise industry. It will be one of the only two residential cruise ships operational, and its worldwide journey will have succeeded where others have greatly failed.

Around 300 passengers, or residents, will embark from Belfast, visiting 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents every three and a half years. This will be a never-ending voyage, offering both pay-as-you-go and ownership options. Passengers can stay anywhere from 35 days to the rest of their lives on this ship, as the vessel itself will be replaced every 15 years.

Due to its relatively small size, the 924-capacity boat can dock at the heart of destinations. Port stays will range from two to seven days, providing residents with ample time to explore. The global itinerary is divided into 16 segments over 1,301 days, designed to catch the spring-summer seasons in both hemispheres, potentially allowing residents to never experience a winter again.

There's no expectation to remain on board for the entire 1,301-day journey, or to depart once it's over. Instead, residents can pick and choose between segments. South America is the most coveted section, while the transatlantic segment is the least popular.

Interest has been overwhelming. Out of the 295 cabins available at launch, 270 have been purchased, with some residents planning to join the voyage later. Villa Vie CEO Mikael Petterson expects all cabins to be fully booked by the end of the Northern European segment and is ready to open up more during the second segment, which is Greenland to Miami.

"We have many people who want to see the ship first before committing to such an interesting opportunity," said Petterson. It's been quite a journey to reach this point, and this isn't the first attempt at this concept.

In November 2023, Life at Sea Cruises cancelled its three-year journey shortly before setting sail, due to not having secured a ship, leaving passengers stranded and seeking refunds for thousands of dollars.

Villa Vie was founded by Petterson and others from Life at Sea's executive team who left when the original team parted ways in May 2022. He believes they've learned from the missteps of those who came before.

The Odyssey, previously known as MS Braemar, was built in 1993 and acquired for $13 million last year from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. An additional $12 million has been invested in refurbishing and recertifying the ship.

"At $25 million in total, it's less than half of what anyone else has tried," Pettersen said. "We're just in a completely different position." The team chose this vessel due to its smaller, more budget-friendly nature: "We wanted to ensure we could complete this project," he added, explaining that the technical part has been the greatest challenge.

Though the vessel has seen better days, it remains in decent shape, with some areas having been recently renovated. Petterson plans to constantly update spaces like a personal residence instead of a cookie-cutter hotel.

With eight decks, a wraparound promenade, an enlarged pool that allows swimming laps, and two Jacuzzis for relaxation, the boat offers several amenities. There will be three restaurants, five bars and lounges, a spa, a fitness center, a library, and a medical center. Additionally, there's a spacious business area filled with sea views, providing internet access through Starlink and Viasat 3, and a culinary center for those who enjoy cooking or taking part in classes. A golf program featuring a simulator and trips to various worldwide golf courses is also available.

A balcony cabin with a crisp nautical design.

This "floating community" of individuals, known as Villa Vie Odyssey, proves to be surprisingly affordable for a round-the-world cruise experience. There are other residential cruise ships, but prices onboard The World, for example, start at $2 million annually.

The annual rental for a cabin on Villa Vie Odyssey costs only about $32,485, and a three-year stay is priced at $97,455. These costs cover various inclusions such as meals, soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi, and medical visits (without procedures or medicines). Additionally, passengers can enjoy 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping, and laundry service.

In contrast, if you're looking to buy a cabin, prices start at $99,000 for an internal cabin, $149,000 for an outdoor one, and $249,000 for a balcony. Along with the purchase, monthly fees apply, starting at $1,750, $2,500, and $4,000 for internal, outdoor, and balcony cabins, respectively. Arranging for a yearly payment, these fees equate to $21,000, $30,000, or $48,000.

Residents have the option to rent out their cabin when not in use. They can handle the rental themselves for no charge or through the Villa Vie platform for a fee.

Buying a cabin grants a 15-year tenure – a projected life span of the ship. Additionally, the newly introduced "Endless Horizons" program allows residents to make a one-time payment of $299,000 for lifetime access to their cabin, transferring ships as the cruise does.

The costs mentioned above are set for double occupancy. If you're a solo traveler, you'll receive a discount of 30%, 20%, and 10% respectively for an internal, outside, or balcony cabin. The rate of solo travelers is surprisingly high, with approximately 50% of those signing up being single.

The age range of passengers varies from under-40s, where more single men than women are present, to post-retirement ages, featuring more women. The average age stands around 58. The bulk of passengers, amounting to 80%, come from the United States. Canadian residents represent the second-largest group.

During a dry dock tour, you may witness travelers like John and Melody Hennessee, a couple who have attracted worldwide attention for selling their belongings to live on cruise ships permanently. They were part of the tour to plan out their triple-cabin with the team.

This "floating community" offers ample customization options for homeowners, with reasonable requests usually accommodated. A select range of large suites caters to the more affluent passengers – the maximum costing $900,000.

The couple, Mark and Katrina Howard, from New Zealand, wore safety helmets for their first glance at their residence for the next three and a half years. They found the downsizing required to fit their belongings into a two-person cabin unproblematic. Back in 1994, they first met on a cruise ship in Auckland, and they will be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey.

Countless celebrations, landmarks, and life-changing events await this band of strangers-turned-neighbors. The sun is guaranteed to shine during the summer itinerary, making the journey a joyous and memorable one.

The Howards have traveled from New Zealand to Belfast to begin their three-and-a-half-year adventure on board.

Read also:

This luxury cruise ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, offers an endless voyage, allowing passengers to travel the world for 1,301 days. (from the text)

Exploring different continents and cultures is one of the many advantages of living on this residential cruise ship that guarantees year-round travel. (using the words 'travel' from the provided list)

Source: edition.cnn.com